Breathlessness

[excitedmummy2be]

Hi.

This is my first pregnancy and Im 30 weeks.In the last couple of weeks Ive noticed that I get very short of breath, even when ive done nothing. I can be just sitting or standing. Its not like when youve run up the stairs, its like its hard to actually breath.I occasionally get heart palpitations too and the odd stabbing pain in my chest. I mentioned it to my midwife, who said to go to my GP.I went to the GP who said it was a pulled muscle and seemed very pushed for time and keen to send me packing. When I asked her if pulled muscles usually result in shortness of breath,chest pain and heart palpitations, she conceded that it didnt and referred me to the hospital. I cant get an appointment with the hospital til september. Is this breathlessness normal? Im worried something is wrong and no one in the medical profession is listening.

Hi I am 31 weeks also and have had quite bad breathlessness for past 3 weeks. Especially when lying back just because of baby taking up too much room probably. Don't know about your chest pain and heart palpitations though if you are really worried about it and its worsening you should go to a and e if you feel no one is listening to you. Its probably just the joys of preganancy taking its toll on you but don't be afraid to ask more if you are worried.

Thanks sassie23... is your breathlessness like youve ran up the stairs or does it feel like its actually quite hard to breath? I had heard you get breathless when youre pregnant but i didnt imagine it would feel like this. Dont get me wrong, I can breath and im not in pain, It just feels a bit laboured.

Well it just short of catches me out like its hard to breath like you need to take a big lungful of air to catch up! I am asthmatic but didn't have this with DS. Its not like being out of breath when you are exercising

Oh...thats good to hear. Ive been really worried. Thats exactly how I feel...like I need a big lungful of air, but I can never seem to get enough! Just another 10 weeks to go of feeling like Im dying! Awesome!

Just make sure if you still have chest pains and palpitations to get checked out though good luck x

It makes me soooo angry to hear of Dr's and MW's being so off hand. They make you feel like you are wasting their time!! ARGH!! I had exactly the same, but was also feeling more tired than normal - being my 3rd pregnancy and knowing that i had had anemia in my previous 2 pregnancies, I asked them test my bloods as i knew that severe anemia can result in chest pains, heart palpitations and breathlessness. I was really anemic and also very low on B12 so am having monthly injections.

Having said all of that, i am now 35 weeks pregnant and still get breathless especially at night, which i have never had before, but i think that must be the baby. The chest pains have stopped as have the heart palpitations since the iron tablets and injections.
Good luck!

Echo all of the above. 34 + 6 and really struggle for breath sometimes, and it can be pretty scary, especially being in the house by myself. Try to stay calm, and remember, if you can sit and type on mumsnet, and hold a conversation, and walk about, you're probably ok and nothing is going to happen to you.

I am also anaemic, and have been in the past outside pregnancy and also remember heart palpitations and stabbing chest pain on occasion as heart worked harder to get oxygen round my body.

I am a feisty mare these days with regard to my health (long story as to why). In your position, I would ring my doctor and ask to see the duty doctor TODAY for an emergency appt (my Practice would see you - pregnant and breathless = double reason!)explain the situation, big it up a bit if you have to, and ask for some blood tests for anaemia. It's no skin off their nose to scribble a form out - and you can often walk in to your local hospital without an appt to have the blood tests done (ours, Lister Stevenage, does a clinic on sat morning). Or if not, an appt with the nurse next week at your practice. If the urgent box on the blood form accidentally gets ticked (how could that happen.....?) then you might be able to ring up for the results in a few days.

Hope helpful, good luck....

Thanks so much for your replies. Youre so much more helpful than the doctors. It seems from the last 2 posts that I could poss be anaemic...funny how my doctor didnt even consider that!!! Grrrr!

Agree with the anaemia replies, I think you should demand to get your bloods done. Your midwife/dr needs to be aware and take action not just fob you off. xxx

I'm 20 weeks and have been breathless like this since 8 weeks. I've had a couple of occasions where I wake up being unable to breathe, feeling like I've fainted, and talking makes me out of breath too.

I went to my GP, she put the fear of god into me, saying it could be a pulmonary embolism and if it happened again I should go to A&E.

I haven't done that, but it still doesn't feel normal, and it does feel scary to get palpitations and not be able to get your breath... so I can totally relate.

yes, anaemia will make you breathless, and the palpitations I think. Also the baby pushing up will make you breathless.

I find my palpitations always get worse during pregnancy, but I have been scanned before and all was normal.

I had the same and was on the borderline of anaemia. Was advised to up my intake of green leafy veg, cereals bit of red meat and it really helped. Defo go and ask for your bloods to be done. Not long to go now!